Thymol

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Thymol

Chemical Family

Therapeutic Properties

Medical Actions

  • The analgesic action of thymol suggests effects in both skeletal and smooth muscle (1,2).
  • Thymol has a long-lasting antibacterial action (8), and has shown good efficacy against some antibiotic-resistant strains (5,6).
  • Thymol inhibits the growth of Cryptococcus neoformans, an opportunistic fungus that often causes problems in the last phase of AIDS (10).
  • The antimicrobial action of thymol is suggestive of therapeutic effects in infections of the skin, gums, throat, lungs, and GI tract.
  • The anti-inflammatory action of thymol involves inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2, and so is similar to medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Thymol also inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis (12).
  • Thymol is one of the most potent antioxidant essential oil constituents.
  • Its antioxidant action has been experimentally linked to inhibition of erythrocyte cell death, suggesting possible use in counteracting anemia or the impairment of microcirculation (19).
  • Experimental evidence suggests antioxidant-related protection that could minimise the side-effects of gamma radiation (16).
  • Thymol has shown in vitro antitumoral effects in cells for mouse melanoma (23).
  • Medicines that inhibit acetylcholinesterase are used in cases of cognitive dysfunction, for example people with Alzheimer's disease (26,27).

Safety Concerns

  • Thymol can cause skin irritation if used at 5% or more, though this is uncommon. At 1% it has never been known to cause any adverse skin reaction (Robert Tisserand, private communication).
  • Thymol inhibits platelet aggregation (29, 30). Essential oils high in thymol should therefore be avoided, especially in high or oral doses, before major surgery, and in anyone taking blood-thinning medication, or with blood coagulation issues.

Notes

  • Thymol is found in greatest quantity in the thymol chemotype of thyme oil (up to 74%), Monarda citrodora var citriodora (60%) and ajowan (up to 55%).
  • Thymol is isomeric with carvacrol, and their pharmacological properties are similar. They are invariably found together in essential oils.

References

  1. Beer A-M, Lukanov J, Sagorchev P (2007) Effect of thymol on the spontaneous contractile activity of the smooth muscles. Phytomedicine 14:65-69.
  2. Haeseler G, Maue D, Grosskreutz J et al (2002) Voltage-dependent block of neuronal and skeletal muscle sodium channels by thymol and menthol. European Journal of Anaesthesiology 19:571-579.
  3. Knobloch K, Pauli A, Iberl B et al (1989) Antibacterial and antifungal properties of essential oil components. Journal of Essential Oil Research 1:119-128
  4. Mohammed MJ, Al-Bayati FA (2009) Isolation and identification of antibacterial compounds from Thymus kotschyanus aerial parts and Dianthus caryophyllus flower buds. Phytomedicine 16:632-637
  5. Palaniappan K, Holley RA (2010) Use of natural antimicrobials to increase antibiotic susceptibility of drug resistant bacteria. International Journal of Food Microbiology 140(2-3):164-168
  6. Shin S, Kim JH (2005) In vitro inhibitory activities of essential oils from two Korean thymus species against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Archives of Pharmaceutical Research 28(8):897-901
  7. Trombetta D, Castelli F, Sarpietro MG et al (2005) Mechanisms of antibacterial action of three monoterpenes. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 49(6):2474-2478
  8. Zarrini G, Delgosha ZB, Moghaddam KM et al (2010) Post-antibacterial effect of thymol.Pharmceutical Biology (6):633-636
  9. Ahmad A, Khan A, Singh N et al (2010) Proton translocating ATPase mediated fungicidal activity of eugenol and thymol. Fitoterapia 81(8):1157-1162
  10. Viollon C, Chaumont JP (1994) Antifungal properties of essential oils and their main components upon Cryptococcus neoformans. Mycopathologia 128(3):151-153
  11. Ahmad A, Khan A, Akhtar F, et al (2011) Fungicidal activity of thymol and carvacrol by disrupting ergosterol biosynthesis and membrane integrity against Candida. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases 30(1):41-50
  12. Azuma Y, Ozana, N, Ueda Y et al (1986) Pharmacological studies on the anti-inflammatory action of phenolic compounds. Journal of Dental Research 65(1):53-56
  13. Marsik P, Kokoska L, Landa P et al (2005) In vitro inhibitory effects of thymol and quinones of Nigella sativa seeds on cyclooxygenase-1- and -2-catalyzed prostaglandin E2 biosyntheses. Planta Medica 71:739-742
  14. Aeschbach R, Loliger J, Scott BC et al (1994) Antioxidant actions of thymol, carvacrol, 6-gingerol, zingerone and hydroxytyrosol. Food & Chemical Toxicology 32:31-36
  15. Alam K, Nagi MN, Badary OA et al (1999) The protective action of thymol against carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity in mice. Pharmacological Research 40:159-163
  16. Archana PR, Rao BN,Ballal M et al (2009) Thymol, a naturally occurring monocyclic dietary phenolic compound protects Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts from radiation-induced cytotoxicity Mutation Research 680:70-77
  17. Braga PC, Dal Sasso M, Culici M et al (2005) Antioxidant potential of thymol determined by chemiluminescence inhibition in human neutrophils and cell-free systems. Pharmacology 76:61-68
  18. Jimenez J, Navarro MC, Montilla MP et al, (1993) Thymus zygis oil: its effects on CC14-induced hepatotoxicity and free radical scavenger activity. Journal of Essential Oil Research 5:153-158
  19. Mahmud H, Mauro D, Foller M et al (2009) Inhibitory effect of thymol on suicidal erythrocyte death. Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry 24(5-6):407-4014
  20. Vardar-Unlu G, Candan F, Sokmen A et al (2003) Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Thymus pectinatus Fisch. et Mey. var. pectinatus (Lamiaceae). Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry 51:63-67
  21. Beer A-M, Lukanov J, Sagorchev P (2007) Effect of thymol on the spontaneous contractile activity of the smooth muscles. Phytomedicine 14:65-69
  22. Van Den Broucke CO, Lemli J A (1982) Antispasmodic activity of Origanum compactum. Planta Medica 45:188-190
  23. He L, Mo H, Hadisusilo S et al (1997) Isoprenoids suppress the growth of murine B16 melanomas in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Nutrition 127:668-674
  24. Astani A, Reichling J, Schnitzler P (2010) Comparative study on the antiviral activity of selected monoterpenes derived from essential oils. Phytotherapy Research 24(5):673-679
  25. Futami T (1984) [Actions and mechanisms of counterirritants on the muscular circulation]. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi 83:219-226
  26. Jukic M, Politeo O, Maksimovic M, et al (2007) In vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibitory properties of thymol, carvacrol and their derivatives thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone. Phytotherapy Research 21(3):259-261
  27. Orhan I, Kartal M, Kan Y, et al (2008) Activity of essential oils and individual components against acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung C 63(7-8):547-553.
  28. Muhlbauer RC, Lozano A, Palacio S et al (2003) Common herbs, essential oils, and monoterpenes potently modulate bone metabolism. Bone 32:372-380
  29. Enomoto S, Asano R, Iwahori Y et al (2001) Hematological studies on black cumin oil from the seeds of Nigella sativa L. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 24:307-310
  30. Okazaki et al (2002) Human platelet aggregation inhibitors from thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). Phytotherapy Research 16(4):398-399
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Disclaimer: Be aware that animal research does not always apply to humans. Some of the research in this database is not applicable to the topical use of essential oils. Doses used in research are sometimes administered by injection or oral use that are not appropriate within a typical Aromatherapy practice.

Research can be used as a guideline with the understanding that normal topical use of essential oils on humans will likely not involve identical results.

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